‘Coming out’ and its impact on women's occupational behaviour ‐ a discussion paper

Very little research to date has addressed the process by which adult women negotiate their transition to lesbianism. Based on a literature review and the authors’ observations, this article explores possible personal and social aspects of ‘coming out’, that is, the process of adopting and disclosing a lesbian or homosexual identity, and the consequent effect upon occupational behaviour. It is suggested that coming out can be relevant to women of any age in any culture, including women who live in heterosexual partnerships. The complexity of this transition can be appreciated (a) by applying transition theory, for example the ecological transition model, which helps highlight the considerable homophobia women may face, and (b) by applying occupational science. The latter facilitates a focus on the fact that women's work and leisure can gain different meanings and symbolic dimensions during coming out, for example eating together and celebrating can gain the additional dimension of supporting the transition. Also, new occupations and environments which support lesbianism may be chosen to strengthen identity and facilitate coping. In this context, it is argued that adaptation and coping may be inseparable concepts because both involve activity and cognition. Overall, the article points to the possibility that sexual identity and occupational behaviour are so closely linked that coming out seems to be not only a state of being but also a ‘state of doing’.